Rocket fuel pollution strains water supplies
LOS ANGELES -- A toxic chemical used to fuel Cold War-era missiles and the rockets that put man on the moon has left a legacy of contamination across the Southwest, where it pinches the region's already tight supply of drinking water.

Six killed in Texas home invasion
EDINBURG, Texas (AP) -- Six men, including two brothers, were shot to death early Sunday in a home invasion by four or five intruders who were probably looking for weapons and drugs, authorities said.

New airport screening rules create few problems
CHICAGO -- Knowing holiday travelers would be putting the country's new airport baggage-screening system to its first big test, Robert Chesniak gave himself 90 minutes to check his luggage Sunday at O'Hare International Airport.

Case wins special election in Hawaii
HONOLULU -- Democrat Ed Case beat out 43 other candidates to win a wide-open special election in Hawaii's 2nd District and become the final member selected to the 108th Congress, election officials said Saturday.

Bush faces packed agenda on return to Washington
WASHINGTON -- After a two-week holiday respite in the Maryland mountains and at his Texas ranch, President Bush returned Sunday to a snow-socked capital to face brewing international storms and a busy season of domestic policy decisions.

Scientists: Loss of power plants could hurt manatees
Florida's endangered manatees could face another obstacle to their survival if the state's aging coastal power plants are closed, eliminating the heated water discharges that the lumbering mammals use as warm refuges in the winter, scientists said.

Today in history
Today is Tuesday, Jan. 7, the seventh day of 2003. There are 358 days left in the year.

Man killed in traffic accident
A 26-year-old man was killed on southbound U.S. 1 during commuting hours Monday after he moved over from the passing lane to go around traffic and lost control of his car.

Gov. Bush kicks off 3-day bash to mark 2nd term
MIAMI -- Gov. Jeb Bush kicked off a three-day celebration to start his second term Sunday, looking ahead to his agenda while downplaying speculation about succeeding his brother in the White House.

Art walk notes
Michael Frey's life is in major transition and his paintings are images caught in a searchlight running along his memory landscape, showing him the way: abstract but familiar forms emerge through thick fogs of color.

Bush begins 2nd term as strongest governor in state history
TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Jeb Bush begins his second term Tuesday as the strongest governor in the state's history, with changes made during his first four years giving his office more control over education and judicial nominations and more power in Cabinet decisions.

Cedar Street residents seek dormitory delay
Residents of St. Augustine's tiny Cedar Street have petitioned the city Planning and Zoning Board, asking it to delay today's vote on removing a 37-inch-thick oak tree at M.L. King Avenue and Cedar Street.

People in the News
RADNOR, Pa. (AP) -- Figure skater Sarah Hughes, who upset Michelle Kwan to win an Olympic gold medal last February, now has her eyes on a different prize: the Ivy League.

A good read: Library's book sale raises funds
Taylor Rochelle held $3 and a handful of books, including the promising "Lost Girls Alone!"
At 25 cents a pop, paperbacks practically hopped out of the St. Johns County Library on Sunday, the last day of a weekend book sale.

Column of the day: Fashion and style
It's no coincidence that a pair of shoes figures prominently in the relationship between Cinderella and her prince. Women have long adored shoes of all kinds, recognizing their ability to alter moods, announce authority and curry sexual favor.

LOTTO AND FANTASY 5 PAYOUTS
TALLAHASSEE (AP) -- One winner of the "Fantasy 5" game will collect $257,286.05, the Florida Lottery said Sunday.

Russell L. Dale
Russell L. Dale, 72, of Hastings, died Dec. 22, 2002 after a courageous battle with cancer. A proud Marine and friend to all, he will be missed by those who knew him.

Mildred Clark Bagley Lutz
Mildred Clark Bagley Lutz, 72, St. Augustine, died Jan. 4, 2003 at Flagler Hospital. She was a native of Colquitt County, Ga., and was a retired bookkeeper.

Harry Harwell Greene
Harry Harwell Greene Sr., 78, died Jan. 5, 2003 in Jacksonville. He was a native of Jacksonville.

Volla Freeman Snider
Volla Freeman Snider, 81, died Dec. 30, 2002 at Flagler Hospital. She was a native of Huntingdon, Tenn., moving to St. Augustine in 1972. She was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Reconciliation. She had been a medical technician at Shands Hospital, Gainesville and had been employed by the St. Augustine Blood Bank. She was a member of the Colonial Dames.

Millie Daniel
Millie Daniel, 81, a St. Augustine resident since 1961, died Jan. 4, 2003 at her home. She was a native of Tallapoosa, Ga., a Baptist, and had worked many years as a nurse's aid.

Louise Bare
Louise "Lou" Bare, 91, St. Augustine, died Jan. 4, 2003 at Shands Hospital in Jacksonville. she was a native of Geneva, Fla. and had resided in St. Augustine since 1986 moving here from San Mateo. She worked as a head cashier for Winn-Dixie for many years, traveling to many new locations to help with training and setup of new stores.

Jose Esteban Rivas
Jose Esteban Rivas, 52, St. Augustine, died Dec. 19, 2002 from injuries sustained in an accident. He was born in Viente Amigos, Durango, Mexico and had resided in St. Augustine for the past year. He was employed by the Ponce de Leon Golf Resort as a groundskeeper and he attended San Sebastian Catholic Church.

Millie Robinson Daniel
Millie Robinson Daniel, 81, passed away peacefully at her home in St. Augustine Beach on Jan. 4, 2003, attended by loving family members. After a hard-fought battle with cancer, her body succumbed but her spirit never did.

Letter: Peace might work with prayer
Editor: It was interesting and somewhat disappointing to read that only two of the 14 community and county leaders you interviewed for "Wish List" in the Jan. 1 Record put "Peace throughout the world" first as their New Year's wish. The two were Errol Jones and Karen Stern. As a matter of fact, none of the others even mentioned it.

Perspective: Time to reform Head Start
When I was a young parent, I read to my children every day. When walking in the neighborhood, we read shop signs. They quickly learned letters and new words and were good readers by the time they started school.

Editorial: Around Florida
The Pentagon's detention compound at Guantanamo Bay was intended for the worst of the worst among al Qaeda fighters and other terrorists.

Perspective: More danger ahead -- from the left wing
This is almost certain to be a historic year -- whether because we begin to break the back of international terrorism, beginning with Iraq, or because international terrorism begins scoring major victories, beginning with North Korea's brazen nuclear challenge.

Letter: Interpreting U.S. policy
Editor: In the Jan. 3 Record a letter was printed from one of your readers attempting to explain U.S. policy towards Iraq. It started with derogatory comments directed at those who don't understand, or disagree with the current U.S. policy.

Letter: Thanks for making a difference
Editor: As we are in the midst of the season of goodwill and thanksgiving, we are writing to express the great appreciation of board of directors and patients of the Good Samaritan Health Centers Inc.

Letter: A legacy for Katherine (Kat) Twine
Editor: I attended Kat Twines funeral on Dec. 21 at St. Lukes AME Church. It was a very moving experience for me, because it turned into a celebration of her life as a Civil Rights leader and community leader.

Editorial: Around Florida
As if we needed any reminders, the killing of three American missionaries in Yemen shows just how serious the war on terror is -- and how morally bankrupt the terrorists are.

Letter: Don't buy the Ponce course
Editor: Just what we need, another county-run money loser. If private enterprise is losing money on this golf course, what makes the County Commission think it can be made more efficient under government auspices?

Pick six for Saints
Now that the seasoning phase is complete, the Flagler College men's basketball team looks ready to feast on conference competition.

Report: Miami's McGahee insured for $2.5 million before Fiesta
MELBOURNE -- Miami tailback Willis McGahee took out a $2.5 million insurance policy two weeks before he was injured in the Fiesta Bowl and can collect after a year if the injury prevents him from returning to football, a Florida newspaper reported.

Florida's Drejer likely out another 10 days
GAINESVILLE -- Florida forward Christian Drejer is at least 10 days away from playing his first game, and coach Billy Donovan says when the Danish star does get to the court, he won't be the same player as when he arrived on campus.

Comeback in black...
PITTSBURGH -- The Cleveland Browns never have gotten over The Drive by John Elway. Now they've got to live with The Comeback by the quarterback who was once supposed to be the next Elway.

Jets, Edwards prepare for home away from home
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Jets insisted they were ready for the next step, winning an NFL playoff game. They turned it into a huge leap past the befuddled Indianapolis Colts on Saturday.

Scientists: Loss of power plants could hurt manatees
Florida's endangered manatees could face another obstacle to their survival if the state's aging coastal power plants are closed, eliminating the heated water discharges that the lumbering mammals use as warm refuges in the winter, scientists said.

Hope for historic Orlando-area gardens blooms
ORLANDO (AP) -- Last summer the future looked anything but sunny for Palm Cottage Gardens, one of Florida's most historic sites. But now a tentative purchase agreement has given fresh hope to the Nehrling Society, the nonprofit group fighting to save it.

Gov. Bush kicks off 3-day bash to mark 2nd term
MIAMI -- Gov. Jeb Bush kicked off a three-day celebration to start his second term Sunday, looking ahead to his agenda while downplaying speculation about succeeding his brother in the White House.

Gov. Bush kicks off 3-day bash to mark 2nd term
MIAMI -- Gov. Jeb Bush kicked off a three-day celebration to start his second term Sunday, looking ahead to his agenda while downplaying speculation about succeeding his brother in the White House.

Bush begins 2nd term as strongest governor in state history
TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Jeb Bush begins his second term Tuesday as the strongest governor in the state's history, with changes made during his first four years giving his office more control over education and judicial nominations and more power in Cabinet decisions.

Tampa loses bid to host GOP
TAMPA (AP) -- Tampa-St. Petersburg may have lost the 2004 Republican National Convention to New York City on Monday, but the area's leaders believe their failed effort will help them land it in 2008.

Some say increase in cruise passengers bad for Key West
KEY WEST -- Some merchants and hoteliers and at least one city commissioner in this island city are worried that an increase in arrivals of cruise passengers jams streets, scares away more upscale tourists and cheapens its appeal.

Two loggerhead sea turtles released in Keys
MARATHON -- Two loggerhead sea turtles were released Sunday into balmy waters off the Florida Keys after recovering from being stranded on separate Virginia beaches last year.